FSCI 500 Science Communication and Outreach

Anyone can be a researcher, and scientists are recognizing the power of citizens to contribute to large projects. One of the most popular examples is Galaxy Zoo, where volunteers classify images. In the Zooniverse, everyone is an astronomer (no expensive equipment required). 

Learn more about citizen science

• What is Citizen Science? (from SciStarter)
• Citizen science and citizen participation videos at McGill Library
• Citizen science books at McGill Library

Explore citizen science projects

• Citizen science portal (Government of Canada)
• CitizenScience.gov (U.S. government)
• SciStarter Project Finder
• National Geographic Citizen Science Portal
• NASA Citizen Science
• Scientific American Citizen Science
• Citizen Science Games

McGill citizen science projects

• Canadian Sclerotinia Initiative - Collect samples for white mold disease resistance research.
• Colony B - Identify clusters of bacteria in a fast paced mobile game.
• Data Rescue: Archives & Weather (DRAW) - Transcribe historical weather data from McGill’s Observatory.
• Phylo - Solve a puzzle and help genetic disease research.

edX

You can follow classes for free on edX, a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) provider, founded and governed by MIT and Harvard. McGill University is a member of edX.

Science communication courses from edX:

• Climate Change Communication (SmithsonianX)
• Science Communication (IsraelX)
• Stand up for Science: Practical Approaches to Discussing Science that Matters (University of Michigan)
• Strategic Communication for Sustainability Leaders (University System of Maryland)
• Transformative Citizen Science for Sustainability (Wageningen University & Research)

Coursera

Founded in 2012 by computer science professors from Stanford University, Coursera now includes content from over 275 partners (Yale, Johns Hopkins, University of Edinburgh, etc.). 

Science communication courses from Coursera:

• Designing Effective Science Communication (University of Colorado Boulder)
• Science Communication: Communicating Trustworthy Information in the Digital World (Erasmus University Rotterdam)
• Science Literacy (University of Alberta)

FutureLearn

Started by 12 universities in the United Kingdom, now co-owned by The Open University and SEEK.

Science communication courses from FutureLearn:

• Communicating Climate Change for Effective Climate Action (University of Glasgow)
• Science Communication and Public Engagement (European Institute of Innovation and Technology)
• Citizen Science Projects: How to Make a Difference (University of Dundee)

FUN-MOOC

Primarily French language Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), from France and worldwide partners.

• Critical Thinking: Data and Fallacies (CY Cergy Paris Université)

MIT OpenCourseWare

Massachusetts Institute of Technology has made it their mission to provide their courseware, lectures and assessments, freely available online.

Past course on science communication:

• Science Communication: A Practical Guide (Fall 2011)